It could have been worse. Not long ago, there were reports that Deutsche Bank’s bonus pool would be down 25% to 30% for last year and that 2015 would mark a nadir for the German bank’s bonuses. Fortunately, John Cryan has been kind: Handelsblatt reports that Deutsche Bank’s 2015 bonus pool will in fact be down by the merest 15%.

Cryan’s kindness nonetheless leaves Deutsche’s bankers more harshly treated than Barclays’ (bonus pool down 8%), but more gently treated than traders at Credit Suisse (bonus pool down 36%). However, the pain at Deutsche will not be evenly distributed. Handelsblatt says Deutsche’s 250 most senior bankers will be dealt the most punitive cuts and that “some divisions” have had their bonus pools reduced by 30%. All things being equal, this would seem to indicate that some people at Deutsche will actually receive bigger bonuses for 2015. Those people will almost certainly be juniors. In a fair world, they will also be working in Deutsche’s fixed income trading business – which outperformed the market last year.

Separately, Financial News has been talking to some frustrated 30-somethings in banking. “There’s only one or two [slots for promotion] a year,” complains one, adding that this, “creates political issues… People fight harder and dirtier.” Today’s mid-ranking bankers aren’t getting promoted and have nowhere to go, says Financial News. – They’re a “lost generation.” One of them blames the MDs who don’t want to move on: “When I started you didn’t have lots of guys in their 50s and 60s still working.”

How it is when Jes Staley messages you: “I am immensely grateful for your commitment and dedication… It is energising and inspiring to me”. (Business Insider)

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is requesting firms to submit information regarding their organizational culture and how those values impact business decisions. (Corporate financial weekly)